Spacer clip



E. E. AYLOR June 20, 1961 SPACER CLIP Filed March 25. 1956 INVENTOR ELM@ E. AVL 0R United States Patent This invention relates to cabinet structures and more particularly to a novel spring clip for maintaining the proper spacing of the parts when they are assembled with a cabinet.

A modern cooking range or similar structure usually comprises a plurality of metallic panels individually fabricated which are subsequently assembled into the desired position within openings formed in a cabinet.

As is most often the case, the complete range cabinet or the like, may have associated panel members that are mismatched or slightly spaced one from Ithe other, resulting in possible relative movement therebetween and producing subsequent breakage or permanent disfigurement. When these panels are assembled in the so-called custom built installation where a cabinet is provided with an opening for the reception of a range top or platform, the opening is normally larger than the platform and means must be provided to center the platform in the opening.

The spring clip of the present invention enables the use of panels with openings having greater deviation from the desired size than heretofore practical, and also resiliently interconnects said panel members to result in a more sturdy and strengthened cabinet.

Another advantage of the clip of the present invention is, that it is very simple in configuration, therefore being very economical to manufacture.

Other advantages will be obvious herefrom and a more complete understanding thereof will be realized upon reference to the following disclosure and accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. l is a top plan view of a cooking range cabinet embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view, shown partly in section taken on lines 3 3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an elevational plan view of the clip of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the clip of FIG. 4; and,

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the clip of FIG. 4.

Referring now to the drawing throughout which like elements are designated by like reference characters, FIG. l illustrates the top horizontal wall 5 of a cooking range cabinet wherein the novel clip of the present invention is interposed between two associated members to properly position and retain said members relative to each other.

More speciiically, the numeral 2 denotes the support platform of a modern range upon which the heat dispensing units or burners 3 are mounted.

Said platform 2 is disposed within an opening 4, formed in the top horizontal wall 5 of a. cabinet leaving a clearance 6 between the edges of the platform and the periphery of the opening.

A splash pan or tray 7, FIG. 2, may be attached to the underside of platform 2, having portions (not shown) spaced below said burners 3 to collect waste cooking oils or other foreign matter falling therethrough.

A sealing or trim strip 8, FIG. 2, which may also be the part that supports the platform as is well known in the art, is provided and is substantially T-shaped in cross section, the trim strip, comprising a vertical leg 9 and a horizontal trim and support bar 11, is placed into the opening between the edge of the opening and the plat- Patented June 2.0, 1961 'ice form 2 such that bar 1.1 completely bridges lthe space 6 whereby the top horizontal bar overlaps and rests upon the edges of the cabinet wall 5 and platform 2 deiining said space. The vertical leg 9 extends downwardly below the opening 4 between the edges of the cabinet wall and platform, and the free end thereof is curved upward to form a ange 12 which `is used with suitable clips (not shown) but well known to those versed in the art, to support the platform.

One embodiment of resilient clip 13, FIG. 2, usually formed of a suitable springy metallic material, is shown to be interposed between the edge of platform 2 and pan 7 and vertical leg 9 of sealing strip 8.

The clip comprises a central portion 15, FIGS 4 and 5, having integrally connected, opposed and outwardly extending pairs of wing members or arms 16 and 17 formed upon the longitudinal sides and spaced from the ends 14 and 18. One pair of Wing members 17 is substantially rectangular in configuration and extends angularly outward from portion 15 and is coplanar relative thereto. The remaining pair of wing members 16, generally trapezodialgin configuration, curves outwardly from portion 15 and terminates in a plane spaced thereabove. Portion 15 terminates in end portions 14 and 18 extending below and above wings 17 and 16, respectively.

ln assembling the resilient, metallic clip to the range cabinet, the central portion 15 of the clip is placed adjacent to the vertical leg 9 of strip 8, FIGS. 2 and 3, with the ends of wing members 17 and lower end 14 of center portion 15 being confined within the trough like ange 12. The upper end 18 of portion 15 engages the underside of horizontal bar 11 of strip 8 at a point slightly spaced from the adjacent surface of vertical leg 9, and the wing members 16 adjacent thereto extend toward and into resilient pressure engagement with the edges of platform 2 and attached pan 7.

As is shown in FIG. l, a plurality of said clips 13 are disposed in spaced relation within clearance 6, about the periphery of platform 2 and are in interposed relationship with strip 8 and the edges of platform 2 and pan 7. The pressure exerted by wing members 16 centrally positions burner platform 2 and attached pan 7 Within opening 4, and prevents slidable movement thereof relative to strip 8 and cabinet wall 5.

Having thus described one embodiment of my invention I am aware that extensive departures may be made therefrom Without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In combination with a plate member and an encircling strip member having a leg extending downward adjacent the periphery of said plate member, a bar formed integrally with said leg and extending into overlapping engagement with said plate member, centering means interposed between said plate member and said strip member, comprising at least one clip having an elongated centrally disposed flat base in engagement with said leg andbar, and resilient wing members extending outward from said at base and toward and into engagement with the periphery of said plate member.

2. In combination with a plate member and an encircling strip member having a leg extending downward adjacent the periphery of said plate member, a bar formed integrally with said leg and extending into overlapping engagement with said plate member, a liange formed on said leg extending upward relative thereto and toward said plate member, centering means interposed between said plate member and said strip member, comprising at least one resilient clip having an elongated flat base having end portions in engagement with said flange and said bar, arm means extending outward from said base and toward and into engagement with the periphery of said 3 plate member, and second arm vmeans extending outward from said base and into engagement with said ange means.

3. In combination with a plate member and an encircling strip member having a leg extending downward adjacent the periphery of said plate member, a bar formed integrally with said leg and extending into overlapping engagement with said plate member, a ilange formed on said leg extending upward relative thereto and toward said plate member, centering means interposed between said plate member and said strip member, comprising a plurality of resilient clip means each having an elongated hat base having end portions in engagement with said flange and said bar, arm means formed on said base spaced from said end portions and in engagement with said ilange and the periphery of said plate member being operable to Secure said base to said strip member and to position said plate member centrally Within said strip member.

4. In combination: a centering clip; a trim strip; a platform element arranged in an opening in a cabinet; said trim strip being provided with an upper portion disposed over and closing said opening between said cabinet and said platform and a leg extending downwardly between the edge of said opening and the edge of said platform, said leg terminating in a' hook shaped end; said clip comprising a central rectangular portion having an upper end in engagement with the underside of said trim strip and a lower end in interlocking engagement with said hook shaped end; a rst pair of wings extending laterally from said central portion and slanting downwardly into a plane coextensive with said lower end of said central portion and into engagement with said hook shaped end; a second pair of wings extending outwardly from said central portion and spaced above said irst pair of wings, said second pair of wings including a wide portion next to said central portion with the edges adjacent thereto slanting upwardly at their outer ends; said second pair of wings being outwardly curved with the ends thereof lying in a plane spaced from said leg of said trim strip whereby said ends thereof are in resilient engagement with the edge of said platform.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 645,626 Mills Mar. 20, 1900 2,101,552 Marsh Dec. 7, 1937 2,298,901 Pickering Oct. 13, 1942 2,328,757 Tinnerman Sept. 7, ,11943 2,481,794 Stitt Sept. 13, 1949 2,680,250 Kerby June 8, 1954 2,743,148 Tedaldi Apr. 24, 1956 2,762,591 Weber Sept. 11, 1956 

